Raw pet food recalled for contamination

updated 1:03 p.m. ET Sept. 21, 2007

VERNON, Conn. - Raw pet food manufacturer Bravo! is recalling some tubes of three of its poultry products for cats and dogs, the state Department of Agriculture said Friday.

Two of the products could be contaminated with salmonella and listeria and the other could be contaminated with listeria.

The Vernon-based company voluntarily recalled the products after the federal Food and Drug Administration found the bacteria during recent inspections.

The FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture are inspecting the facility and sampling products.

No illnesses have so far been reported in people or animals.

The recalled products are distributed nationwide to distributors and retail stores and also sold directly to consumers and on the Internet. They can be identified by the batch ID code located on the hang tag attached to the bottom of the plastic film tubes.

Infection risk
Pets should not eat the recalled products. Unopened tubes can be returned to the store where they were purchased for full refunds. Open tubes should be safely thrown away. The ID tags should be washed and returned to the store for full refunds.

The state says people should be careful when handling raw pet food because they can risk infection.

The symptoms of salmonella in humans include vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, dehydration, sluggishness, weakness and high fever. Symptoms of listeria include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.

Pet symptoms are similar. People who are concerned about themselves or their pets should seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

The following products have been recalled:

• Bravo Original Formula Chicken Blend frozen raw food, Product Numbers: 21-102, 21-105, 21-110, Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes, Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236
• Bravo Original Formula Turkey Blend frozen raw food, Product Numbers: 31-102, 31-105, 31-110, Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes, Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236
• Bravo Basic Formula Finely Ground Chicken frozen raw food, Product Number: 21-212, Size: 2 pound tube, Batch ID Code (on hang tag): 226

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